The Sacred Wood That's Replacing Patchouli

Palo santo is the scent we can't get enough of. Here, our five current favorite ways to get a fix.

Palo santo is the scent we can't get enough of. Here, our five current favorite ways to get a fix.

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Courtesy of Love Adorned

Palo Santo sticks

That its name is Spanish for "holy wood" makes perfect sense. Because, since first catching a whiff of this frankincense-esque South American wood years ago at a boutique in Venice Beach, it's inspired a near unwavering devotion in me. Warm and earthy with the slightest hints of coconut, mint and citrus, it smells, well, heavenly. So, since then, I've been on a perpetual hunt for it in every beauty product that crosses my path. The first way you should experience it is also the most traditional: lighting the wood in stick form. Palo santo wood has been burned by shamans and medicine men as part of ritual or cleansing ceremonies for many years, and at home, they make for a lovely accompaniment to any meditative practice. They also just help your space smell delightful, not to mention the smoke is believed to keep bugs away and enhance creativity. Bonus!

The so-called "rainforest-grown" brand claims, with their palo santo-doused shampoo, to provide an aromatherapy experience whilst shampooing. Believe it. The scent makes lathering way more enjoyable, and, be on the lookout, because come fall, Rahua will be using it for products beyond your locks.$32, rahua.com

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Courtesy of Regime des Fleurs

water/ wood by Regime des Fleurs

For a more nuanced infusion of palo santo, water/wood, a breezy scent that sees it melded with orris root, wild tobacco and crystallized amber, by L.A.-based niche perfumery Regime des Fleurs, is an elegant option. And the bottle is begging for prominent dressing table display.$155 for 30 ml, regimedesfleurs.com

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Courtesy of La Tierra Sagrada

La Tierra Sagrada treatment

The sacred ayahuasca plant is front and center in this new holistic haircare line by stylist Stefani Padilla (aka the "hair shaman"), but palo santo also creeps up in all the ingredient lists. Understandable considering palo santo wood is often burned during ritual ayahuasca ceremonies. The treatment oil has a particularly transformative effect, and, of course, a magical scent.From $24, latierrasagradahair.com

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Courtesy of Olo

Palo Santo fragrance oil by Olo

If I could bathe in this scent, an inviting blend of palo santo wood and white champa flower, I would. It is that delicious.$45 for 9ml or try a sample pack of scents for $24, olofragrance.com

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